(Z)-R, β-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds 2 are important building blocks in organic synthesis. 2 Several procedures have been developed for the general synthesis of these compounds, 3 a few of which are known to exhibit substantial (Z)-selectivity (> 90%). 4 Ganem has shown that R-diazo esters 1 undergo β-hydride elimination with rhodium (II) acetate to produce (Z)-enoates 2, 5 but only in cases where no competing 1, 5-insertion ...
